Line maintenance tool



D. HUBBARD LI'NE' MATQNTENANGIE TOOL April 21, 1942.

Filed April; 10; 1941 a Sheets-Sheet, 1

April 21, 1942.

D. C. HUBBARD LINE MAINTENANCE TOOL Filed April 10, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 2 NWN MNN

Y .mh v Nu NW April 1942- D. c. HUBBARD LINE MAINTENANCE TOOL Filed April 10, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 "mm W" .HHHHH Hlm J hm ing done onthe line.

which the device. is engaged.

. Another object of theinventionis the provi sion of a device of theclassfdescribed, having an improved form of take-up mechanism by means of which the take-up of'the strain is adapted to Patented Apr. 21, 1942 I A '2,2s0,192 v uarrso STATES PATENT 7 ome 2,2s0Q1e2; .LINE MAINTENANCE TOOL David o; Hubbard, Centralia,Mo., assignor .to v

A. B. Chance Compan poration of Missouri y, Centralia, Mr, a cor- Application April 10; 1941, Serial No. 387,883 190mm. o1..'254 771 The present invention relates to line maintenance tools, and is particularly concernedwith' tools adapted to carry the strain of conductors or other members-under tension, while work is -be- One of the objects of the invention :is the removed from the line; r v

- Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, takenwon the plane of theline 4-4 of Fig.2, looking in l the directionof the arrows; Fig; 5 is a. Vertical sectional view, takenon provision of an improveddead end strain' carrier which is 'simple in construction,sturdy, and ado quately insulated, so that it is adapted to perform its functions for a long periodjofltime with a maximumdegree of Sfl,fety.'

Another object of the invention theprovi sion of animproved tool of the class described which; is much easier to install, of lighter Weight,

and less expensive than the devices of the-prior art. a l

.Another object of the inv en tion is the provi: sion of a device oflthe class described which is so constructed that it may be engaged; and. handled by means of a clamp stick, a disconnect stick, a tie stick, or other similar insulated tool, so that that end of the tool which is adapted to plane'of the line 3-4 ofFig. 2, withthe device the plane of the line 5 5 of Fig. 2,1ooking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. Sis a horizontal sectional View; taken on the plane of the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction'of the arrows;

Fig. 'Zis a fragmentary vertical sectionalview taken on the plane of the line "1-7 of Fig. 2,

looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

be placed on the line or placed inengage'ment withia deadiend clamp stick, cu malong, or similar device, may be handled without electrical hazard. g A

Another object of the invention isthe provi-.

sion of adevice of the class describedwhich is adapted to be adjustable in length for use on various types of installations in suc'h manner thatlits f orce-m ultiplyingtake-up devices may U .be actuated mosteffectively to accomplishthe purpose of taking up the strain on the line with be accomplished with a minimuml lamount, of

part of the operator.

friction and a minimum amount of-labor. onthe may be positively locked to. the tool so as to. prevent any accidental dis-engagement ofj the line from the tool..

Referring to the drawingsof which there are three sheets, l A i i Y changing dead end insulators;

: Fig. 2 is a fragmentary.elevational of t he tool of Fig. 1,

shown in side elevation .andpartial section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view,tal; en on the" Fig. 8 is afragm'entary horizontal sectional View, taken on the plane of the line 8 3 of Fig. I

2, lookingin the direction of the-arrows;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the low}. ler end of the rocker. arn'r lever, with the operating screw and shoe removed; Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectionalview, taken on the direction of the arrows;

the plane oftheline I of Fig."3,looki'ng1in the directionof thearrows; l

Figs 12 is a fragmentary; elevational view,

showing a rear view of the upper part. of the I fittinglof Figpfi; Fig. '13 is a View in perspective ofra fitting adapted-tube used with theftool for engagement with a; semi-corner clevice;

Fig. 14' isLa. fragmentary View showing the same fittinginstalled on the tool;

Fig. 15.is an elevational View of the cumalong,

a fragment of which is shown in Fig. 2; Fig.216 islan elevational' view of a modified form of device. y l c Referring toFig. 1,.2il indicates in its entirety .a tool constructed according to the invention,

shown in connection witha'transmission line ininsulators.

stallation, for the purpose of changing dead-end The transmission lineincludes the pole IS, the

- crossrarms 2|, the conductors 23 to 25, the" .dead end clamps 26,1 21, 2t; 29, the-insulators to 33, and the other customary associated equipment.

Fig. l is a viewin perspective of'a .tran smis sion line installation showingthe application "of the present maintenance tQoli-Orthepur ose of In this nsef of the invention, the use maintenance tool 20 has oneend engaged with the cross 3 arm 22.,yand ,the' other. end engaged with the dead-end clampyll on the conductor 23. The. ElfldyOf the tool flflfwhich engages theconductor 23; is adapted to'he handled-by means of the clamp' stick 3a, which has its jaws engaging an eye carriedby the left end of the toollil solthat which forms the mainlbody of the device a thetool may be installed and on the lineflwithe u out the necessity for the operator having 01"le j handout on the woodengt'ension member 35,

a horizontalsectional 'view,'taken on Referring to Fig. 2, this is an elevational view in partial section, with the mid part of the wooden tension member 35 broken away. In this view the position of the tool is reversed, as it is shown in engagement with a cross arm, such, as, for example, the cross arm 2|, and it has its engagement with a conductor, such as the conductor 24 through the intermediary of a conductor clamping device or cumalong, indicated in its entirety by the numeral 36.

The main body of the tool is preferably constructed of a wooden member 35, which may comprise a board of suitable insulating wood, such as sugar maple of the ladder grade.

The board is preferably rectangular in cross section, and may be of the size usually referred to as"two by four, this size being purchasable on the open market at a more reasonable price than odd or special sizes. Such a board is, of course,

not actually four inches in width nor two inches sockets 31, which may be one-half inch holes approximately nine thirty-seconds of an inch deep, and two inches apart.

' It should be understood that the dimensions given are merely exemplary of one preferred form of the device, and these may be varied, as

the device may be constructed in various sizes for various purposes.

The boards 35 may be made of various lengths, such as, for example, forty-eight inches or seventy-two inches, and the sockets 31 may begin withthe first socket suitably spaced from the end by approximately two and one-half inches, sufficient sockets being provided to utilize the major portion of the board for adjustment of the fitting 38, which carries the lug 39 engaging in one of the sockets 31.

The fitting 38 is adjustably mounted by means of a bracket constructed to be engaged with a wire clamp or with the dead-end clamp usually on the conductor of a transmission line. v

It is adapted to be secured on the board 35 by means of a stirrup 4E). The stirrup 4|] is shown in section in Fig. 3. It comprises a cast metal member formed with a pair of parallel flanges L 4|, 42, joined by a relatively thicker yoke 43. The flanges 4|, 42 may be reinforced by means of an outwardly projecting vertical rib 44, on

. eachof them, the rib leading from the yoke 43 to the upper end of each flange 4|, 42, where the flange is made thicker to provide a thicker body surrounding the cylindrical bores 45, 46 (Fig. 3). The yoke 43 is provided with a threaded bore 4'1, the axis of which extends parallel to the flanges 4|, 42, and the bore 41 is adapted to receivethe threaded body 48 of an eye screw 50 having an'eye 49 of suitable size to be engaged by means of a clamp, stick, disconnect stick, tie, orsimilar insulated tool carried by a pole, as shown at 34 in Fig. 1. In other words, the eye 49 is of the same size and construction as the eye of a hot wire clamp.

The eye screw 5|] has its upper end provided with a cylindrical portion 5| of reduced diameter, 1

being beveled at 54.

Lil

adapted to be received in a complementary socket 52 in a pressure plate 53.

The pressure plate 53 is shown in plan in Fig.

6. It may comprise a cast metal member of substantially rectangular shape in plan, the corners The pressure plate 53 is provided at each of its opposite sides with the rectangular grooves 55, 55, leaving the outwardly projecting legs 5'! to 60, two of these legs being located on each of the edges of the flanges 4| and 42. Thus the pressure plate 53 is slidably mounted between the flanges 4| and 42, where it is held by the legs 5l5il.

The reduced cylindrical portion 5! of the eye screw 50 has rotatable engagement with the pressure plate 53 in the socket 52, and the annular shoulder 6| at the end of the eye screw 5|! engages the bottom of the pressure plate 53.

The pressure plate 53 may bemade relatively thick, and may be provided with a frusto-conical surface 25, so that it tapers downward in size toward the eye screw 55.

In some embodiments of the invention the socket 52 may be extended into a bore extending through the pressure plate, and the lug 5| may be riveted over on the upper side of the pressure plate to fasten these parts together in such manner that rotation is permitted for the eye screw.

The pressure plate 53 is adapted to engage the lower plane side of the board or body member 35 and to clamp the stirrup 49 in any of its horizontally adjusted positions without damaging the lumber.

The fitting or bracket 38 may comprise a cast metal member which has its lower or body portion of substantially triangular shape. The three sides of this body portion are formed by the flanges 63, 64, 65, which are integrally joined to the reinforcing flanges 66, 61, 68. The reinforcing flanges 6668 extend at right angles to the flanges 63-65, thus giving the sides of the triangle a substantially T cross section.

The lower flange 65 is adapted to have its lower plane surface in flat engagement with the top of the wooden tension member 35, and this flange B5 is provided with the cylindrical lugs 39, adapted to be received in one of the socket 31.

The flanges 63-65 are integrally joined to a substantially cylindrical body portion 69 at the lower left corner, this body portion being provided with a cylindrical transverse bore lil, serving as a bearing for a pintle H, which may consist of a headless rivet. This metal rivet passes through the two bores 35, 46 of the stirrup 4|] and through the bore 19 of the bracket 38.

The cylindrical bearing body 69 may have its parts separted by a vertically extending slot 12, if desired, so that it has two bearing portions l3, 14 (Fig. 3). At its upper corner the triangular body of the bracket 38 is provided with a vertical extension 15, comprising a substantially cylindrical enlargement formed on one side with a cylindrical socket 16. The cylindrical socket 16 is closed by a rear wall TI except for the fact that the rear wall is provided with a vertically extending slot 18.

The cylindrical enlargement I5 is bordered by the reinforcing flanges l9 and 8B, which form extensions of the flanges 63, 64, respectively, and at its upperside the cylindrical enlargement I5 is provided with the vertically extending flanges 8|, 82 (Fig. 3). These vertically extending flanges are provided with the registering cylinbracket 38 is shown with its r 2,280,192 drical bores 03, 84 (Fig. adapted to receive the retaining pin 85.-

This retaining pin is provided with asubstantially cylindrical body 85, an annular stop flange 01, and an eye member 88, which may be made of the same size as the eye member 49, so that it also may be engaged by a clamp stick or other insulated operating member. 34, when desired.

The cylindrical body 86 is provided on one side with a longitudinally extending slot 89, which may be rectangular in cross section, and the slot 89 is closed at both ends, as indicated by the closedends 90 and 9! (Fig. 10). I

The upwardly extending flange 82, for example (Fig; 10), may be provided with a threaded bore 92 for receiving a screw bolt: 93, the inner end of which projects into the slot 89. The screw bolt 9| may have a frictional engagement between its. end and the base of the slot 89 so that thepin 85 is adapted to be retained frictionally in any position to which it is moved. The screw bolt 93 prevents rotation of the pin 85, but its most important function is to provide stops'for limiting the axial movement of the pin 85 inthe bores 83,04.

The pin 85 may bemoved toward the right in Fig. 10 to such a position that it does not obstruct the: slot "I8,"0r it may be moved to the position of Fig. .10,where the slot 181s closed. When in the position of Fig. 10, head members' having their shanks in the slot 78, are locked in the slot; but

the pin 85 may also be used for being passed through apertured lugs of accessories which are used with the bracket.

Referring to Fig. 13', this is a view in perspective of a fitting which is adapted to be used with the bracket 38 in the manner illustrated in Fig.

14. The fitting comprises a cast metal member having a cylindrical body 94 (Fig. 14) provided with a. radially projecting lug 95. The lug 95 has a through bore 96 of suitable size to receive the pin 85. I i

The body 94 is of suitable size tobereceived in the cylindrical socket 13, and when the fitting of Fig. 14 is located in this socket the aperture 96 of lug 95 registers with the bores 83, B4. The pin 85 must be withdrawn toward the right from the position of Fig. 10 before the-fitting. of Fig. 14 is inserted in the socket 16;]and after it is inserted, the fitting maybe fixedly secured by moving. the pin 85 toward the ture 96 of lug 95.

The fitting 91 of Fig. 13 is merely exemplary of one form of fitting that can be used in the left through apersocket 16. It is preferably provided with a pair of longitudinally extending integral legs 98-, 99 separated from each other by the slot I00, which is adapted to receive a semi-corner clevice, when it is desired to exert a tension on a conductor or other member carrying such a clevice. a

Referring to Fig. 2, in this modification the pin 85 engaging the eye IOI of a cumalong 36. This cumalong is merely exemplary of many forms of Wire clamping or gripping devices, which may be used with the tool.

The cumalong in question has a body, thelower flange I02: of which has a groove for receiving the conductor 24. A gripping shoe I03 has a similar partially cylindrical groove for engaging the upper side of the conductor 24. The shoe I03 is pivotally connectedto the arm I04, which carries the eye IIlI, and the shoe I03is pivotally mounted on a pintle I95 carried by the upper partof .the body I06. f a

A safety hook I01 has its lowerhook end I08 engaged over a pin I09, and is also mounted on the pintle I05.

The arm I04 is guided with respect to the wire grip by passing through an aperture H0 in an arm III carried by the body I05. The arm I04 is suitably curved so as to slide in the aperture I II) when it exerts a pull on the shoe I 03.

pivotally The tension exerted on the arm I04 by means of the, eye I 0| drives the shoe I03 into engagement with the conductor 24 and the conductor is clamped between the shoe I03 and grooved.

flange I02. As the cumalong 36 has its eye IOI secured by the pin 85, there is no possibility of dis-engagement of the cumalong from the bracket 38, and any suitable tension maybe applied to the conductor 24.

Referring to the left hand end of-Fig. 2, the wooden body member is provided at this end with a cast metal fitting or ferrule lI2,.which is fixedly secured on this end of the board 35. This ferrule II2 preferably comprises a box-like metal member which is open at one end H3, and is adapted to receive the end of the wooden member 35 with a close frictional fit.

The box-like member II2 may have the flat end wall II4, a flat top flange H5, and a flat bottom flange II6. Its side walls H1, H8 may be provided with rectangular apertures II9 for the purpose of saving metal. The side wall portions II'1 surrounding the aperture H9 form a frame for engaging the sides of the wooden member 35, and the uppermost of these side wall portions may be provided with an aperture I20 for receiving a rivet I 2| which passes through the side walls and the wooden member 35, and

is preferably riveted over at each end.

In addition to this, the ferrule H2 is secured on the Wooden member 35 by means of a through bolt I22,which passes through apertures in the upper and lower walls H5, H6, and a register ing aperture in the wooden member 35, the'bolt being secured in place by means of a nut I23.

The ferrule IIZ is providedon its closed end with a rearwardly projecting bearing flange I24. This bearing flange may be seen in section in Fig. 4, and it is provided with a through bore I25, forming a bearing for a pintle I26.

The outer end of the bearing flange I24 may be partially cylindrical at I21, and may have a suitable clearance with respect to the partially cylindrical socket 428, which is formed in the rockerarm, indicated in its entirety by the numeral I29.

The sides of the socket. I28 are formed by flanges H0 and I3I, and the socket I28 is provided with a relatively large front opening, so

' that it will have such a clearance with respect bores.

to the bearing lug I24 that it may have a wide I35, each of which may be of substantially T cross I35 are integrally section, and the arms I 36, joined to the bottom wall IIB.

The-arms- I 34, I35 converge at their lower ends, and. arehrtegral ly joined to acylindrical body portion I36, which is provided with a threaded has bore'I31 (Fig. 5) adapted to receivethe threaded body I38 of theoperating screw, which is indicated by the numeral I39.

The cylindrical member I36 is preferably elongated in order to provide a relatively long threaded surface for holding the threaded rod or operating screw I39 substantially parallel to the body member 35,

The operating screw I39 is provided with a non-circular portion of reduced size, indicated at I49 on its right end, and this non-circular portion is adapted to receive the socket of a ratchet lever MI. The ratchet lever MI is preferably of the reversible type, having a pawl which may be applied to the ratchet for right hand or left hand drive, or which may be released entirely. Beyond the non-circular portion I46 of the operatingv screw I39 there is a still smaller circular portion I42 which is threaded to receive a complementary thread in a take-up wheel I43.

The end I42 of the rod may be battered over or riveted so that the take-up wheel I43 is secured against the adjacent shoulder on the rod. The take-up wheel I43 may comprise a generally round hand wheel, which may be provided with arcuate grooves I44, separating the radially projecting spokes I45 for convenient grip by the fingers.

The opposite end of the operating screw I39 is preferably formed with a cylindrical portion I46 of reduced diameter, and with a substantially cylindrical head I41. The corners of this head are chamfered at I46, and the head is adapted to be rotatably received in an operating screw shoe I49.

This head and shoe are both shown in greater detail in Figs. '7 and 8. The shoe comprises a metal member, which is generally rectangular in plan, as shown in Fig. '1, and which has a later ally open socket I59 for receiving the shank I46 and head I41. The socket I59 is open toward the side at I5I and open toward its front, where the operating screw I39 enters.

It has an inwardly projecting flange I52 bordering the straight side walls I52 and the cylindrical portion I54 of the socket. The inwardly projecting flange I52 has a clearance with the shank I46, but it overhangs the lower edge of the head I41 to retain the head in the socket I59.

As the socket has straight sides leading to the I ranged, however, that when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 2, the shoe is retained in the rocker arm and the operating screw retains the shoe.

The rocker arm I29 comprises a lever preferably made of cast metal, which is also preferably provided with a truss-like construction to increase its strength with the use of a minimum amount of metal. Thus the rocker arm I29 preferably has its main body I55 and the bracing portions I56, I51 formed of substantially T- shaped cross section. Each of these members comprises a transversely extending and outwardly projecting flange I58 and an inwardly extending flange I59. The members I55, I56, and I51 are joined integrally in the form of a triangle, and are further joined by a central frame member I69 leading to the bearing portion I6I.

The members I55, I56, I51, I60 are separated by triangular apertures I62. The bearing portion I6 I at the right hand central portion of the rocker arm is formed with two flanges I36, I3I that carry the pintle I26 by means of which the rocker arm is pivotally mounted on the lug I24, as previously described.

At its upper end, after the juncture of the parts I55, I51 of the rocker arm I29, there is an integral extension, and the arm is preferably turned laterally at I63, and its right hand end is preferably provided with a pointed member I64. This pointed member may be pyramidal or coneshaped, the pyramidal point being preferred on account of the fact that it tends to prevent rotation of the entire tool with respect to the cross arm 2!, after the point I64 has formed a complementary socket in the wood of the cross arm.

In some uses of the tool the point may engage the pole or other wooden structure.

At the other end of the rocker arm I29 the portions I55, I56 are joined, and an enlargement I65 is provided, which is substantially rectangular in appearance, when viewed from the right in Fig. 2.

This enlargement I65 is provided with a rectangular socket I66, which is bordered at one side by the wall I61, at the two opposite sides by the walls I68 and I69, which communicate with an end opening I16.

The face of the socket in Fig. 9 is also open except for the provision of a pair of inwardly extending flanges I1I. The socket I66 is provided with a bottom surface I13, which is partially cylindrical and formed on a relatively large radius.

The adjacent surface I14 of the shoe I49 is also partially cylindrical, but also has its upper half formed on a smaller radius, which may be regarded as having the same center, when the shoe is disposed as shown in Fig. 2,

The lower half of the shoe surface shown at I15 (Fig. 2) is preferably relieved still further, and may be formed on a still smaller radius so as to permit the shoe a wide range of rocking movement and to facilitate the movement of the rocker arm in a counterclockwise direction until the frame member I56 strikes the ferrule II2.

Thus the shoe is adapted to have its surface I14 rocked against the surface I13 with a line contact, the point of contact varying with the angle between the operating screw I39 and the rocker arm I29. There is a suitable clearance between the shank I46 of the operating screw I39 and the adjacent parts of the socket I66 so that the rocker arm and operating screw do not interfere with each other at this point.

Looking at the shoe I49 from the top, in the section of Fig. 8, it will be observed that the shoe is uniformly curved from side to side on its surface I14 on the curvature of a relatively large circle, which may correspond substantially with the lateral curvature of the surface I13. Thus the shoe surface I14, I15 and the arm surface I13 are adapted to have a line contact as described.

The parts are assembled as follows: The ferrule H2 having been secured on the board 35 and the operating screw having been placed in its threaded bore I36, the shoe I49 may then be slid on the head I41 of the operating shoe and disposed with its opening I5I extending laterally. The shoe I49 and operating screw head I41 may then be slid into the socket I66 of the rocker arm I29 through the opening I13, the shank I46 of the operating screw passing between the flanges The opening I13 is large enough to pass the sition is such that when the mounted on the lug I24 and pivotally secured by means of the pintle I26, as previously described. Since the rocker arm I29 is mounted for pivotal movement and the operating screw is held by its bracket portion I36, the shoe cannot slide out of the socket I 66. I T

The operation of the tool is as follows: In

"some installations the conductor is inserted in the slot 18 after the pin 85 hasbeen withdrawn, and the pin is again driven back to-the position of Fig. 3, so that the Wire is locked in the slot 18. Then the bracket 38 may engage the usual:

dead end clamp 21, as shown in Fig. 1, to exert a tension on the Wire 23.

These operations may be accomplished by means of clamp sticks or other tools carried by poles, such as shown at 34 (Fig. 1), and another, clamp stick may engage the eye 88 of the pin 85.

In other installations it may be necessary to use a wire grip or cumalong, as shown in Fig. 2; and in such case the eye of the wire grip is again secured by means of the pin 85 passing through the eye. In other cases the shank of the eye may .be located in the slot .18, and the length of the slot between its base and the pinis of less size than the head of the eye. The eye ay then be by means ,n r,

confined with its shank in the slot 15 of the pin 85.

into engagement with its ratchet, and the ratchet lever is thereafter used to turn the operating screw I 39 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the right.

This causes the operating screw I39 to move toward the left in its bearing I36 and to force the rocker arm I39 in a clockwise direction. Duringthis movement the work is accomplished with a minimum amount of friction, as the head I 91 rotates in the shoe I 49, and the shoe I49has a line contact with the surface I13 in the socket of the rocker arm.

During this movement of the operating screw the prong I69 forms a socket in the Wood of the cross arm 2I and becomesmore firmly fixed, as the tension is taken up between the line and the cross arm by the tool.

r The tool is preferably so disposed that it hangs downwardly from the line by means of the bracket 38 and the rocker arm I29, and thus it is always in a stable condition; but in some uses The length of the arm 0f the tool is pref- 1 erably adjusted beforethe application of the tool to the line by releasing the pressure plate 53 by means of the eye screw 49.

Thiswill permit the stirrup 49 to move upward on the board 35 until the lug 39 may move upward out of its socket. The stirrup 40 and bracket 38 may then be moved longitudinally of the arm 35 to the desired rocker arm is engaged with its point I64 on the cross arm I2I,

the bracket 38 is located beyond the insulator which it is desired to change or relieve of strain.

Before making any such adjustment, it is, of. course, desirable to retract the operating screw 39 to the right as far as it will go. This is done by withdrawing the pawls of the ratchet lever I4I from the ratchet so that the ratchet is free, and then twirling the hand Wheel I43 by the fingers until the operating screw moved to the right in Fig. 2 and the rocker arm I29 has its frame member I56 against the ferrule I I2. This will give the rocker arm the maximum position. This po 1 5 I39 has been degree of movement after the device has been 60 attached to the line, and will facilitate the transfer of the tension of the line to the tool in such a way as to relieve all strain from the insulator which is to be changed.

The bracket 38 having'been secured to the line by means of a suitable fixture or by means of a cumalong, or by the locking arrangement of the pin 85 on the line, the bracket engaging a dead end clamp, the point I 84 may then be engaged with the cross arm, and the slack taken up by tion by means of the fingers.

As soon as there is a suitable resistance to the actuation of the hand wheel by the fingers, the proper pawl of the ratchet lever I-II' is moved of the invention it may be used in another position and held there by the engagement of the pyramidal point I64 in its complementary socket formed in the wood.

Due to the engagement of the shoe I49 with the flanges I1I of the rocker arm I29 and the engagement of the head I41 of the operating screw I39 with the flanges I52 of the shoe, the operating screw is adapted to exert a pull on the rocker arm I29 to move it in acounterclockwise direction when the device is released from the line.

The operating screw and the rocker arm are always maintained in engagement with each other at the head I41 and shoe I49, and there is no possibility of any part of the device becoming lost.

Referring to Fig. 16, this is a simplified form of line maintenance tool comprising a modification of the invention.

In this embodiment the member I16 comprises a rectangular wooden bar of the same material previously described, which is provided at each end with a metal fixture I11, I18. The metal fixtures I11, I18 are each provided with rectanular sockets I19, I80 adapted to receive the end of the wooden bar I16 with a close frictional fit,

and the fittings are secured in place by pairs of transversely extending rivets I8I, I82.

The fixture I11 has a laterally projecting arm I83 provided with an enlargement I84, having a socket I85, which is again accessible at the top by means of a slot so that the line may be inserted in the slot and a dead end clamp located in the socket to exert tension on the line.

The fixture I18 is provided with a pair of bearing lugs I86, projecting longitudinally therefrom and provided with a pintle I81 by means of \lyhiclsthe lever I88 is pivotally mounted on the ug I One end of the lever I88 has a threaded bore for receiving a pointed threaded member I99, the

turning the hand wheel I43 in a clockwise direcpoint being used to engage a cross armor pole. The other end of the lever I 88 has a threaded bore for receiving the threaded member I99, the

end of which engages a laterally projectingarm I9I carried by the fixture I18. Both threaded members I89, I99 may have laterally projecting crank arms I92, I93.

In this embodiment the tension is applied to the member I 16 by meansof the screw I89, which may have its point driven in, and by means of further force applied to the lever I88 with the screw I99.

As the screw I99 engages the arm l9l, it slides outwardly thereon, and lever I88 is pivoted clockwise to react against the cross arm and exert a pull on the bar I16.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an improved line maintenance tool which is adapted to relieve the strain on a conductor for the changing of an insulator, or any other purpose. The length of the tool may be very quickly adjusted to the particular conditions of any installation, and the tool may be used in connection with a cross arm, pole, or other fixed part.

The line engaging fixture pivots in a clockwise direction on the stirrup 40 when tension is applied, and the lug 39 is brought into firmer engagement with its socket 31 in the wooden arm 35. The line engaging bracket may be secured in any of a multiplicity of different positions and clamped without damaging or weakening the wooden arm, and this end of the device may be used in connection with various line engaging fixtures, wire grips, etc., or may be arranged to exert a tension on the line by locking engagement with an ordinary dead end clamp.

The device may be actuated with a minimum amount of effort, due to the reduced amount of friction, and it may be handled at the end which engages the energized line by means of clamp sticks or other tools on insulating poles. There is no possibility of an accidental disengagement of the tool from the line, and the structure of the tool is such that it insures a maximum degree of safety to the operator.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a line maintenance tool, the combination of an insulating bar member with a fixture carried thereby for attachment to a line conductor, said fixture comprising a stirrup member embracing said insulating bar, and a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup member, said bracket pivoting into engagement with said insulating bar when force is applied to said bracket in the tensioning of a line.

2. In a line maintenance tool, the combination of an insulating bar member with a fixture carried thereby for attachment to a line conductor, said fixture comprising a stirrup member embracing said insulating bar, and a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup member, said bracket pivoting into engagement with said insulating bar when force is applied to said bracket in the tensioning of a line, said bracket and bar being provided with complementary engaging members brought into engagement with each other by the application of force to the bracket in the tensioning of a line.

3. In a line maintenance tool, the combination of an insulating bar member with a fixture carried thereby for attachment to a line conductor, said fixture comprising a stirrup member embracing said insulating bar, and a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup member, said bracket pivoting into engagement with said insulating bar when force is applied to said bracket in the tensioning of a line, and threaded means carried by said stirrup for engagement with said insulating bar to fix the stirrup in any of a plurality of predetermined positions on said bar.

4. In a line maintenance tool, the combination of an insulating bar member with a fixture carried thereby for attachment to a line conductor, said fixture comprising a stirrup member embracing said insulating bar, and a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup member, said bracket pivoting into engagement with said insulating bar when force is applied to said bracket in the tensioning of a line, and threaded means carried by said stirrup for engagement with said insulating bar to fix the stirrup in any of a plurality of predetermined positions on said bar, said threaded means having a standard head adapted to be engaged by a clamp stick or other insulated tool.

5..A line engaging fixture for a maintenance tool, comprising a stirrup, a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup, and having a bearing surface carried by its lower face, said bracket being of substantially truss shape, and an enlargement carried by the upper end of said bracket, said enlargement having a socket for reception of a clamping member carried by a line.

6. A line engaging fixture for a maintenance tool, comprising a stirrup, a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup, and having a bearing surface carried by its lower face, said bracket being of substantially truss shape, and an enlargement carried by the upper end] of said bracket, said enlargement having a socket for reception of a clamping member carried by a line, said socket having an open slot communicating therewith for insertion of the line laterally into the slot.

7. A line engaging fixture for a maintenance tool, comprising a stirrup, a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup, and having a bearing surface carried by its lower face, said bracket being of substantially truss shape, and an enlargement carried by the upper end of said bracket, said enlargement having a socket for reception of a clamping member carried by a line, said socket having an open slot communicating therewith for insertion of the line laterally into the slot, and said enlargement having a pair of registering bores on opposite sides of said slot, and a locking member slidably mounted in said bores for closing said slot.

8. A line engaging fixture for a maintenance tool, comprising a stirrup, a bracket pivotally mounted on said stirrup, and having a bearing surface carried by its lower face, said bracket being of substantially truss shape, and an enlargement carried by the upper end of said bracket, said enlargement having a socket for reception of a clamping member carried by a line, said socket having an open slot communicating therewith for insertion of the line lateral- 1y into the slot, and said enlargement having a pair of registering bores on opposite sides of said slot, and a locking member slidably mounted in said bores for closing said slot, and stop means for limiting the movement of said locking member to the open position and closed position of the slot.

9. In a line maintenance tool a force-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a rearwardly projecting part for engagement with a wooden part of the line, and a threaded member engagingsaid metal member and adapted to actuate the otherend of said rocker arm lever.

l.0.'In a line maintenance tool, a force-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, arocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a rearwardly projecting part for engagement with a wooden part of the line, and a threaded member engaging said metal member and adapted to actuatethe other end of said rocker arrnlever, and an operating connecting means between said threaded member and said rocker arm whereby the threaded member may, move the rocker arm in either direction.

11. In a line maintenance tool, a frce-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on .a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a rearwardly projecting part for engagement with a wooden part of the line, and a threaded member engaging said metal member and adapted to actuate the other end of said rocker arm lever, said metal member having a threaded bore for receiving said threaded member, and manual means carried by said threaded member for rotating the threaded member.

12. In a line maintenance tool, a force-apply ing fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a rearwardly projecting part for engagement with a wooden part of the line, and a threaded member engaging said metal member and adapted to actuate the other end of said rocker arm lever,

said metal member having'a threaded bore for receiving said threaded member, and manual means carried by said threaded member for r0- tating the threaded member, said manual means including a hand wheel and releasable ratchet lever.

13. In a line-engaging fixture, the combination of a bracket adapted to be carried by an insulating bar, said bracket having an enlargement provided with a socket and with a lateral slot leading to said socket, a forked fixture having a body adapted to be received in said socket, and,

having a lug adapted to be received in said slot, and a locking member passing through said lug and through the parts of said enlargement to secure said body in said socket.

14. Ina line maintenance tool, the combination of an insulating bar with a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted thereon, and a threaded member carried by said bar and engaging one endof said rocker lever, said threaded member having a round head, a shoe having a socket for receiving said head, saidsocket being open at one side,

socket with the lateral opening of said shoe closed by the walls of the lever socket, said lever socket having means for retaining said shoe therein, and said shoe having means for retaining said member, whereby the threaded means may actuate the threaded member in either direction.

15. In a line tensioning device for high voltage transmission lines, the combination of an elonend of said bar for attachment to a line conductor, said fixture having a securing member provided with an eye adapted to be engaged by a clamp stick, a m-ovably mounted member carried by the other end of said bar for engagement with a fixed part of the line installation, and threaded means carried by said other end for moving said member to place atension on said bar, said fixture also having an eye adapted to be engaged by a clamp stick in the application of the tool to the line.

16; In a line maintenance tool, a force-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a actuate the other end of said rocker arm lever, an

insulating bar carrying said metal member, and a fixture carried by said insulating bar and adapted to be secured to a line conductor, whereby the line conductor may be tensioned.

17. In aline maintenance tool, a force-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a rearwardly projecting part for engagement with a Woodenpart of the line, and a threaded member engaging said metal member andadapted to actuate the other end of said rocker arm lever, an insulating bar carrying said metal memher, and a fixture carried by said insulating bar I 18. In a line maintenance tool, a force-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having a rearwardly projecting part for engagement with a Wooden part of the line, and a threaded member engaging said metal member and adapted to actuate the other end of said rocker arm lever, said metal member having a threaded bore for receiving said threaded member, and manual means carried by said threaded member for rotating the threaded member, an insulating bar carrying said metal member, and a fixture cari said lever having a socket for slidably receiving said shoe, said shoe being slid into said lever ried by said insulating bar and adapted to be secured to a line conductor, whereby the line conductor may be tensioned.

19. In a line maintenance tool, a force-applying fixture comprising a metal member adapted to be secured to an insulating bar, a rocker arm lever pivotally mounted on a bearing lug carried by said member, said rocker arm lever having arearwardly projecting part for engagement with awooden part of the line, and a threaded member engaging said metal member and adapted to actuate the other end of said rocker'arm lever, said rearwardly projecting part comprising a threaded member carried by said lever, and means for actuating said threaded member for varying the effective length of said insulating bar.

- DAVID C. HUBBARD. 

